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DeKalb County airport authority outlines runway extension, lighting upgrades and deicing costs
Summary
Airport representative Randy Fox told the Council the airport will add taxiway and runway work, switch to LED lighting and is evaluating deicing options that could cost $5,000–$7,000 for light applications or up to $30,000 for heavy events.
Randy Fox, speaking to the DeKalb County Council on March 12, reported progress on airport capital work and raised cost and liability questions about runway deicing. He said the airport plans to add about 2,000 feet of taxiway to improve connections to the existing 7,000-foot runway, install new LED lighting and complete an AWOS (automatic weather observation system) installation. Bids are being sought for T-hangars.
Fox described deicing as a recurring concern after recent icing events. He said a single light deicing across the 7,000-foot runway was estimated at $5,000–$7,000, while a heavy deicing event could cost on the order of $30,000. He cautioned that deicing aircraft carries additional liability and recurring expense and noted that routine aircraft deicing would likely be charged through the fixed-base operator rather than borne by the county.
Council members asked about hangar availability, whether visiting jets could be moved inside for deicing, and whether the airport authority or the fixed-base operator would buy deicing equipment. Fox said those decisions are conceptual and would be addressed if operational demand and liability considerations make routine deicing necessary. He announced the next airport authority meeting is scheduled for Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the airport conference room.
The council did not take a formal vote on airport procurement or deicing but directed staff to continue planning and report back with cost and operational proposals.
